We don’t see any women in your series, can you explain that? Did you discuss this with the “tanners”?
I spent a total of eight half days on the beach and I never got the opportunity to meet any women. Yet again, it is not rare in Muslim societies to come across areas that are frequented by only women or only men; I didn’t really dwell on the question. I am sure that women were definitely not forbidden on the beach. In fact, a female journalist colleague came with me a number of times, in particular to translate for me and she was always welcome.I know that Abu Kodor is a married man. He always carries photos of his wedding and of his children around with him. In fact, they were among the first things he showed me. I saw his wife once when I arrived a little earlier than usual one morning. She wore a veil and was dressed in black. Abu Kodor was unusually modest when he introduced her to me.
You can find the entire interview of Vianney Le Caer in the catalogue of the exhibition C’est Beyrouth at the Institut des Cultures d’Islam
